Belarusian investigators preparing more cases for trials in absentia

November 18, BPN. The Investigative Committee is opening a special probe against Ściapan Puciła, Stanisłaŭ Łupanosaŭ and BYPOL, the association of former security forces designated a terrorist group by Belarus.

“Special proceedings have been initiated against real traitors, people who have caused huge damage to our country,” Investigative Committee Chairman Dźmitryj Hara said, as quoted by SB.by. “Among them is traitor Łupanosaŭ, who served in law-enforcement agencies. In the end, he betrayed the state, both the state and the people.”

Ściapan Puciła is a co-founder and editor of the Nexta Telegram channel, which, according to the committee, “coordinated extremist and terrorist activities to organize protests in our country.”

Stanisłaŭ Łupanosaŭ worked at the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ organized crime unit GUBOPiK. After the 2020 presidential election, he resigned and left the country. He was charged with attempted terrorism and unauthorized handling of data.

Special proceedings are criminal proceedings against those living abroad and evading contact with investigators. They may lead to trials in absentia and the named individuals’ losing their citizenship.